History With Western Albemarle

Coach Mario Washington enters his 15th season coaching at his alma mater and his 5th year as Varsity Head Coach. A proud Western Albemarle graduate, he was a standout three-sport athlete and earned Male Athlete of the Year in 2006.

After graduating from Western Albemarle, Coach Washington continued his playing career at Hampden-Sydney College (2006–2010), where he competed for four years on several nationally ranked teams, and earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and finance. Following college, he served honorably in the United States Marine Corps. Upon completing his service, he returned home to Western Albemarle, where he has coached football, wrestling, and lacrosse.

Collegiate Experience

At Hampden-Sydney College, Coach Washington played for four years while completing his degree in economics and finance. His collegiate career helped shape his leadership, discipline, and commitment to the sport.

Coaching Career

Coach Washington helped lead the Western Albemarle Warriors to back-to-back state championship appearances in 2015 and 2016.

He opens the 2026 season with a 62–13 record as head coach. The Daily Progress named him the 2021 Central Virginia Coach of the Year after he guided the Warriors to a Jefferson District and Region 4A Championship. In 2024, he again led the Warriors to Jefferson District and Region 4B titles, along with a berth in the 4A State Semi-Finals. He was also named the 2024 Jefferson District and Region 4B Coach of the Year.

Over his 13-year coaching tenure at Western Albemarle, Coach Washington has developed:

64 All-State players

Six All-Americans

One Bob Scott Award recipient

Community Involvement

Beyond his high school coaching responsibilities, Coach Washington is deeply committed to youth lacrosse development in the Crozet/Western Albemarle community. He serves as a Head Coach for CavElite C/O 2029, helping foster growth, skill development, and character in young athletes across Central Virginia.

In 2026, Peggy will be in her fourth year as the head lacrosse coach at Western Albemarle. The team begins the season having a 55-1 record after winning the 2023, 2024 and 2025 District, Region, and State Championships in the last three years. She was named the 2023, 2024, and 2025 District, Region, and State Coach of the Year and the 2023 VHSL Coach of the Year. Western has had 21 All-State selections in the last three years in addition to two District Players of the Year, two Region players of the year, and a State Player of the Year. In addition, Peggy has coached at the youth level all the way to the collegiate level and enjoys the challenge of bringing out the best in every player and team.

Peggy attended the University of Virginia and earned a Masters in teaching elementary education. She was captain of the 1997 number one ranked field hockey team that went to the first final four in school history. She also won the 1998 ACC Lacrosse championship and was a two time NCAA Runner Up. She was a two time National Defensive Player of the Year, the 1998 ACC Player of the Year for the number one ranked Hoos, and named Virginia’s most outstanding female athlete. She was awarded the NCAA Woman of the Year in 1998 and is in the Baltimore and Virginia Hall of Fame Chapters for US Lacrosse. Coach Williams lives in Albemarle County with her family and two dogs.